When wrestlers reunite: Mohanlal reconnects with old friends after 50 years

Malayalam cinema’s beloved icon Mohanlal met two of his old wrestling buddies—VN Prasood and P Krishnakumar nearly 50 years after they trained and competed together on wrestling mats.As reported by Kerala Kaumudi, The trio first crossed paths in 1975, when a young Mohanlal joined MG College, Thiruvananthapuram, for his pre-degree. Prasood later shifted to Chembazhanthi SN College. The three became inseparable in the wrestling circuit, sweating it out at Veera Kerala Gymkhana and Central Stadium, Vanchiyoor.A champion before cinemaLong before Mohanlal earned fame on the silver screen, he was already making waves as a wrestler, competing in the 74 kg category. He not only clinched the title of wrestling champion at MG College but also went on to win medals at both the Inter-University Championship and the State Championship held in Kannur. At the time, Prasood was his coach, and Krishnakumar competed in the 52 kg category, while Prasood himself competed in the 48 kg division.Their passion for wrestling didn’t fade. While Mohanlal went on to become one of India’s most revered actors, his friends continued in the sport—Prasood eventually became the Secretary General of the National Wrestling Federation, the first Malayali to do so, and Krishnakumar built a career as a trainer and technical officer with the Sports Council.When reel met realThe bond came full circle when Mohanlal portrayed a wrestling champion in the 2002 film 'Chathurangam'. True to their history, it was Prasood who stepped in to train Mohanlal for the role, even appearing in the film as a coach.Meeting again today in a private room at Mohanlal’s hotel in Thiruvananthapuram, the three friends shared laughter, memories, and unspoken gratitude for the sport that brought them together and shaped their journeys in different yet remarkable ways.Work frontOn the professional front, Mohanlal made his massive comeback with Tharun Moorthy's crime drama film 'Thudarum'. Mohanlal will be next seen in ‘Hridayapoorvam’.